JAMMU, Dec 30: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment, and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, chaired a high-level meeting today to review the progress of various water supply schemes in the Jammu North constituency.
The session, attended by legislator Sham Lal Sharma and senior officials from the Irrigation, Flood Control, and Forest departments, focused on identifying gaps in the existing water infrastructure. The Minister directed departmental heads to accelerate the pace of ongoing projects and stressed that all engineering staff must strictly adhere to approved timelines to ensure the public receives immediate relief.
Addressing the functionality of existing assets, the Minister issued a clear mandate for the immediate restoration of all defunct tube-wells in the region. He instructed Executive Engineers to conduct on-site inspections and undertake corrective measures where structural or mechanical deficiencies were observed.
To streamline future works, Rana emphasized the need for seamless coordination between the Jal Shakti and Wildlife Departments. He noted that proactive engagement is essential to resolve clearance-related hurdles involving pipe-laying and construction in protected forest or fringe areas, which have historically caused project delays.
The Minister also took a firm stance on contractor accountability, warning that executing agencies failing to meet quality standards or deadlines would face strict penal action. He directed officials to engage directly with contractors to troubleshoot ground-level bottlenecks and eliminate any excuses for slow progress.
Reaffirming the commitment of the Omar Abdullah-led government to provide safe drinking water to every household, the Minister concluded by calling for rigorous monitoring and regular progress audits. He maintained that the timely delivery of these infrastructure projects is non-negotiable for the welfare of the residents of Jammu North.
